Brown’s The Florist is voted #1

Peninsula’s choice for favourite flower shop:

  • 1. Brown’s The Florist
  • 2. Thrifty Foods
  • 3. Fiorenza Classic Flowers

Congratulations to all

By Judy Reimche

Our first choice winners gather after our Reader's Choice Awards Ceremony at Chalet Estate Winery.

Our first choice winners gather after our Reader's Choice Awards Ceremony at Chalet Estate Winery. Our first Reader’s Choice Awards event has proven extremely successful. The response from readers and from local businesses far exceeded our expectations. Our congratulations to all those who took the time to fill out the forms and get them in to us, and to all the businesses who have been so quick to support this venture.

The Readers Choice Awards were not offered as a popularity contest, but are, rather, a chance for our readers to give a hearty Thank you to the businesses to which they have assigned their loyalty — the places they routinely go for the many goods and services offered on the Peninsula. It’s a recognition of the hard-working business community here, and a chance to share our appreciation of our natural resources. Living here, surrounded by such beauty, there could be a tendency to take it for granted. This was a chance to highlight our favourite places.

The idea for the awards program came from publisher Sue Hodgson, who was also a creator of the Best of the City publication for our Victoria division of Black Press. That publication, too, has been welcomed by readers and the business community as an entertaining way to share the Victoria business community with readers, and for readers to give a public thanks for not only business but the natural wonders of the area.

For our staff, choosing the questions and categories was fun (the Editorial staff came up with the questions about the Coolest Cop and Hottest Fireman) — even though we didn’t get a vote! The exercise got us thinking, too, and we realized, once again, how much we appreciate life on the Saanich Peninsula.

To all of those who paused for a few minutes to fill out the entry forms, our sincere thanks. Your contributions — some of which were hilarious — were also much appreciated.

And a tip of the hat, to all the businesses and services on the Peninsula who have participated in this venture. Our congratulations to all — you’re all winners, in our book.